Median Earnings (1yr)
$52,766
75th percentile
60th percentile in Georgia
Median Debt
$26,625
2% above national median

Analysis

Kennesaw State's business program delivers strong early-career outcomes that put graduates ahead of most competitors nationally and within Georgia. With first-year earnings of $52,766, graduates earn about $8,000 more than the typical Georgia business graduate and land in the 75th percentile nationally—impressive performance for a program with a 69% admission rate. The debt load of $26,625 creates a manageable 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates can reasonably expect to pay off loans within a few years.

The program's main limitation becomes apparent over time: earnings growth stalls almost completely, rising just 3% over four years to $54,098. While graduates start strong, they fall behind peers from Georgia's elite programs like UGA ($56,630) and significantly trail Emory ($85,682) by year four. Among Georgia business programs, KSU ranks in the 60th percentile—solid but not exceptional within the state.

For families seeking good value in business education, KSU offers a practical path to steady employment with reasonable debt. The program works well for students who prioritize quick entry into the workforce over long-term earning potential, though parents should understand that career advancement may require additional credentials or job changes down the line.

Where Kennesaw State University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business administration, management and operations bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Kennesaw State University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Kennesaw State University$52,766$54,098+3%
Emory University$85,682$107,945+26%
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus$73,557$78,313+6%
University of Georgia$56,630$63,445+12%
Morehouse College$55,567$62,476+12%

Compare to Similar Programs in Georgia

Business Administration, Management and Operations bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Georgia (54 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Kennesaw State UniversityKennesaw$5,786$52,766$54,098$26,6250.50
Emory UniversityAtlanta$60,774$85,682$107,945$19,5000.23
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main CampusAtlanta$11,764$73,557$78,313$23,0000.31
University of GeorgiaAthens$11,180$56,630$63,445$19,5000.34
Morehouse CollegeAtlanta$31,725$55,567$62,476$23,6250.43
DeVry University-GeorgiaDecatur$17,488$55,102$55,550$46,7970.85
National Median$45,703$26,0000.57

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business administration, management and operations graduates

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

$171,200/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Architectural and Engineering Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.

$167,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers

Define, plan, or execute biofuels/biodiesel research programs that evaluate alternative feedstock and process technologies with near-term commercial potential.

$167,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Treasurers and Controllers

Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Investment Fund Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Natural Sciences Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Research Coordinators

Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Water Resource Specialists

Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Compensation and Benefits Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate compensation and benefits activities of an organization.

$140,360/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Human Resources Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization.

$140,030/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

$138,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Kennesaw State University, approximately 35% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 347 graduates with reported earnings and 330 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.